Year: 2023

10 Lessons a Foster Pup Teaches You

March 17, 2023

By Taylor Huestis

Fostering is one of the most rewarding experiences in the world. But it is also very tricky because goodbye is the goal.

Foster pets are meant to stay temporary. The SPCA provides all the supplies and you open your heart and home. When they grow big, strong and healthy, you know they are officially ready for adoption. It is such an exciting but bittersweet day because that means a goodbye is coming.

I hear people all the time say, “I wish I could foster but the goodbyes would be too hard.” It is true that goodbyes are difficult. But the fulfilling feeling that you helped set a pet up for success totally outweighs the sadness. It may be a goodbye for you but it is the beautiful beginning of a new chapter for them.

When I’m missing a foster pet, I often find it helps when I reflect on our time together. With our foster pup, Buddy, we were supposed to be teaching him but he was really teaching us. Here are some of the special moments and lessons he shared:

#1 Don’t underestimate your size and strength. Always go for the bigger stick.

#2 Don’t let the fear of someone making fun of you hold you back from chasing your dreams

#3 Show the world how smart you are

#4 Take your lunch break. Move your body. Play in the sun. Find joy in everything you do.

#5 Greet and show your loved ones you care.

#6 Be brave and strong. Even when faced with something new and scary.

#7 It is important to look at the world from different angles sometimes.

#8 Use your voice and make lots and lots of noise.

#9 Feeling sad? Go to the beach.

#10 Dream big.

 

I hope watching his videos made you smile, just as he made us smile. We know he will bring so much joy to his new family and they will shower him with love.

Buddy, you were only in our home for 6 weeks but you will live forever in our hearts.

 

Taylor Huestis

Taylor is the Communications & Development Officer with the Nova Scotia SPCA and proud adoptive fur-mama to Bonnie and Boy. She is passionate about raising awareness and funds for local animals in need. Connect with Taylor at thuestis@spcans.ca or 902-222-0378 today.

Studying Feline Feelings

March 16, 2023

By Taylor Huestis

Co-regulation is where one nervous system calms another. When children are stressed or struggling with strong feelings, parents or caregivers can help calm them down. At its core, co-regulation explains why just being with someone helps.

But does co-regulation work the same for cats?

To get the lowdown on feline feelings, Jemma McKinnon, a dedicated high school student, conducted a quantitative research study with SPCA shelter cats.

“I frequently volunteer at the SPCA already and have often wondered what I could do to help those cats who appear to be more stressed and difficult to calm,” Jemma reflected. “During my time cuddling with them over the past year, I have noticed mixed reactions. On many occasions, I have had wholesome interactions with cats where they have been super cuddly and engaged, but others – not so much! I decided to investigate if there was something that I could do to help them relax and to create the best experience for both of us. Regardless of how the cats respond during my regular volunteer work, or in my data collection, I cherish my time with them.”

“I have been fortunate to be able to collect my data with the cats at the Dartmouth SPCA to increase my understanding of how different human behaviours may affect the nervous system responses of the animals we love,” Jemma continued. “The cats in my research study are placed in one of three distinct groups, with each group receiving different interaction styles with myself. Their heart rates are taken before and after receiving two minutes of exposure to the interaction style as a measure to determine the impact on their nervous system.”

Are you ready to hear the three adorable groups?

  1. A cuddling group
  2. A petting group
  3. A verbal reinforcement group

“In the cuddling group, the cats are held near my chest while I practice mindful breathing,” explained Jemma. “As this lowers my heart rate, it is hypothesized that the cats will have a similar nervous system, calming response. In the petting group, the cats remain in their respective kennels with the door open and receive physical touch. In the verbal reinforcement group, the cats remain in their kennels with the door closed and receive positive comments in a gentle, quiet tone.”

“Understanding behaviour strengthens the bond between animals and humans, and betters the lives of our domesticated friends,” Jemma shared. “Since they rely on us for so many things, it is crucial to know what the best way to interact with them is to calm their nervous systems. My research will both benefit people who have the privilege to spend time with cats, and the cats themselves.”

Jemma is a lifelong animal lover so studying this topic came naturally. At home, Jemma cares for two different types of geckos – a Leopard Gecko named Blue, and a Crested Gecko named Navy. Jemma also has a three-year-old Morkie-Shih Tzu mix named Barkley and an SPCA alumni guinea pig called Eos, named after the Greek goddess of dawn.

“I have often been called an ‘animal whisperer’ since an extremely young age,” Jemma smiled. “I have always been drawn to them and felt a special connection to them. This kind of research means so much to me personally due to my own aspirations of becoming a veterinarian. Since I am still too young for university, working in the field of zoology and gaining invaluable experience in high school through the SPCA has been quite a joyous privilege to part-take in.”

Jemma completed their school study and was selected to represent their school at a regional level on March 31st at SMU. We can’t wait to see the results! But one thing we are certain of is how co-regulation works on animal lovers. If you’ve ever lived with a pet before, you know what we mean. Pets seem to sense our sadness and come to comfort us. They are experts at co-regulating with us… so now it is our turn to learn new ways to help them.

 

Are you passionate about pets and looking for a rewarding career? You could be in our next class for the Veterinary Assistant Diploma Program at the Nova Scotia SPCA College of Animal Welfare. Click here to learn more.

 

 

Taylor Huestis

Taylor is the Communications & Development Officer with the Nova Scotia SPCA and proud adoptive paw-rent to Bonnie and Boy. She is passionate about raising awareness and funds for local pets and loving families. Connect with Taylor at thuestis@spcans.ca or 902-222-0378 today.

A Loving Dog’s Legacy of Light and Learning

March 15, 2023

By Judy Layne

Dogs are often the brightest part of our lives, and to have them brighten other peoples’ lives as well is a true gift. This is the story of Bodj, a beautiful German Shepherd, whose light shines brightly even though she’s crossed the Rainbow Bridge.

For 12 years, Bodj shared her love, loyalty, and zest for living with her family. She was a social butterfly, delighting in being with other dogs and in meeting new people. When Bodj’s dad Sir Paul was diagnosed with ALS, she went above and beyond to comfort him.

When Bodj passed away, the family was devastated. She left huge paw prints on the family’s hearts. They looked for a meaningful way to honour Bodj, her caring spirit, and intelligence, yet be of practical use. Through the SPCA, they created the Bodj von Grunfeld® scholarship in her memory to help those pursuing higher education in the field of animal care. Each year, a deserving student will be awarded $500 toward their animal welfare education. 2022 was the second year that the scholarship was awarded. After receiving many outstanding applications, Natalie Comeau was selected. Natalie is pursuing a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree at the Atlantic Veterinary College, UPEI.

Natalie told me that she has always loved and felt a strong connection with animals. Through her volunteer work with the SPCA, that bond deepened. She shared “I started volunteering weekly as a cat care attendant, which involved a bit of cleaning and a lot of cuddling sweet cats and kittens. It was the best part of my week! Eventually, I started fostering cats for the SPCA. It was so rewarding to see them become comfortable with people and to watch their personalities bloom. Through the SPCA’s Palliative Care Program, I found Missy – the sweetest cat in the world, who enjoyed a number of happy years with my family. I knew in my heart that a career that involved helping animals would make me happy and fulfilled.”

You may recall seeing the picture of Natalie with her one-year-old cute-as-a-button dog Eve. “Eve opened my eyes to what people refer to as their ‘soul dog’ – a soulmate in dog form,” said Natalie. “I can’t imagine my life without her; she brightens my days and keeps me motivated to work hard. I’m sure that Bodj’s family would agree that the light dogs bring to our lives never fades.”

In the second year of the DVM program, Natalie’s studies are going well. She related “The experience I’ve had working in veterinary clinics is so rewarding. I love making connections with pet owners and getting to know their pets. It’s a special close connection that I think is often hard to find in other careers. I also feel proud and inspired when I get to help with the care of sick animals, especially when I can see how much they improve after treatment.”

When asked how the Bodj von Grunfeld® scholarship has impacted her life and education, here’s what Natalie had to say. “This scholarship has helped me to focus on succeeding in my studies and to worry less about mitigating student debt through part-time jobs. This year has had a very challenging curriculum, and I’m so glad that I get to put my best foot forward and learn as much as I can to help animals in the future. It has also allowed me to focus on some of my other areas of interest, like being the President of my school’s Shelter Medicine Club, an opportunity which has allowed me to partner with the Humane Society here in PEI.”

Natalie expressed how grateful she is to Bodj’s family. “I would like to thank them for their generosity in helping students who share their passion for animals and for seeking to help shelter animals who are often overlooked or forgotten. The bond they shared with Bodj is so special and inspiring; I think it is one that every dog parent aspires to have.”

Natalie working on a model dog during her training

Inspired by Bodj’s scholarship, Natalie intends to ‘pay it forward’ in the future, giving back to other veterinary students, especially those that are active in supporting their local humane societies. She explained, “I think that it is such an important and sometimes underserved part of veterinary medicine and animal welfare, and there is the potential to make a huge impact by encouraging people to become involved in helping shelter animals.”

Natalie encourages others to pursue a career in animal welfare, particularly in these times when we are facing a shortage of veterinarians across the country. “In my experience, it is a very fulfilling career path that will challenge you to learn and better yourself constantly,” she stated. “Something I love about veterinary medicine is that the career options are endless*, so you will always be able to find something you are passionate about and have the option to change career paths if you want to learn something new. Applying for and receiving this scholarship has been a great experience and I encourage anyone to apply!”

On March 1st, 2023 the Bodj von Grunfeld® scholarship window was opened for the third year. The deadline for applying is June 30, 2023. To find out more about the scholarship or to apply for this amazing opportunity, click here.

If your pet brightened your life and you would like to explore the establishment of a scholarship in their memory, please reach out to the Nova Scotia SPCA for help.

 

Judy Layne

Judy is a dedicated volunteer with the Nova Scotia SPCA and proud adoptive fur-mama to Linc. She is committed to speaking for animals who cannot speak for themselves.

Theo’s Cookies Make Life Sweeter for SPCA Animals

March 15, 2023

By Judy Layne

Some of the smallest people have the biggest hearts when it comes to animals. Take Theo for example. He’s only 10 years old, but this pint-size superhero is already on-route to making a difference in the lives of Nova Scotia SPCA animals. And when Theo’s teacher, Mrs. Longley, assigned his class a recent project, Theo knew exactly what he was going to do.

I asked Mrs. Longley about the project in her Active Citizenship lesson. She shared “I love teaching and coming up with new ideas to make learning as engaging as possible. I want my students to know that we all have strengths that we can use to make positive changes in the world. For this project, I asked students to tap into their strengths and identify the causes that are important to them. The project gives them a chance to use their talents to donate to a charity of their choice. It gives them a ‘real-world’ opportunity and it shows them that they can make an impact. It strengthens their skills for empathy, generosity, and compassion, and what teacher doesn’t want that for their students?”

Theo knew his charity of choice immediately – he wanted to do something to help SPCA animals. He said “I’ve always loved animals. When I was little, I met a little dog called Mozart and realized I loved him and wanted to protect him. Since then, I have wanted to protect all animals.”

Theo also knew which of his strengths to tap into. “I like baking cookies with my mom,” he related.  Theo’s mom Laura explained “Theo always enjoys making cookies to bring to school and loves it when people like his cookies.  Being able to raise money for the SPCA by baking was a win-win for Theo. He is proud of this accomplishment.” Theo stated that his bake sale was a huge success. “I was so happy that I raised $62 for the animals selling cookies. Quite a few teachers bought them and most of the students.”

Theo hasn’t rested on his laurels following the success of his bake sale. He’s also helping to care for cutie-pie Shirley, the school’s pet Syrian hamster. Theo shared “Shirley has a little playpen and I put toys in there, play with her and feed her.”

Teaching kids to be kind to animals is one of the most important life lessons we can pass along to them. It plays a vital role in kids growing up to respect those who are different from them and to treat them with kindness. Laura agrees. “Positive interactions with animals can provide children with hands-on learning about empathy and kindness.”

When asked what advice he’d give to other kids who would like to help homeless animals, Theo replied “If you can, adopt an animal from a shelter, try to do fund-raisers for the SPCA and other shelters and volunteer if you can.” Wise advice from one so young.

In fact, we can learn a lot from kids! Many people choose not to do something thinking that ‘it won’t be big enough’ or ‘how can one person make an impact?’ But if every single person had Theo’s ‘can-do’ mindset, each little bit adds up to a big difference for homeless animals.

 

Each year, thousands of homeless animals cross the Nova Scotia SPCA’s doorstep. There are lots of great ways for kids to help them. Here are some favourites.

Ask for birthday donations. Kids can ask family and friends to bring donations for homeless animals instead of birthday presents.

Organize a fun fundraiser. Kids can host fund-raisers like lemonade stands, bake sales and car washes in their neighborhood or at church or school to raise money for homeless animals.  They can also collect recyclable cans, take them to the local recycling center and donate the proceeds to a shelter or rescue.

Conduct a ‘Wish List’ drive. Kids can ask their teachers if they can lead a donation drive at their school to collect items that shelter animals need, like food, toys, beds, towels and blankets.  Or they can get creative by hosting a movie night or ice cream party for friends, with a Wish List item as admission.  The SPCA’s Wish List for animals can be found here.

Have a friendly competition at school. Kids can hold a pop can or coin drive with a catchy name such as ‘Pop Cans for Pets’, ‘Cans for Cats’ or ‘Dimes for Dogs’ and make it a competition between classes, grades or the entire school.  Winners can receive awards such as ‘Top Crusaders for Cats’ or ‘Dogs’ Best Friends.’

Educate friends and family. Kids can play an important role in helping people understand that spaying/neutering their pets can help reduce the number of homeless animals. They can make bookmarks, posters or write a report for class about the importance of spaying/neutering your pet.

Adopt pets from the SPCA or a registered rescue. Kids can lead by example by adopting a homeless pet from a recognized rescue.

Foster an animal. Kids can ask their parents to help them foster a homeless animal. They’ll be helping two animals – the one they foster and another one who will get a place in the shelter.

Lead by example. Along with their parents, kids can make sure their family’s pets are spayed/neutered, have up-to-date vaccinations, ID tags and a microchip in case they get lost.

Judy Layne

Judy is a dedicated volunteer with the Nova Scotia SPCA and proud adoptive fur-mama to Linc. She is committed to speaking for animals who cannot speak for themselves.

The Difference Love Makes: Sweets’ Story

February 13, 2023

By Judy Layne

On a pouring rainy day, a kitty was found wandering stray by a kind man who brought him to safety at the Dartmouth SPCA. The poor cat had clearly lived a hard life on the streets. When he arrived, he was almost completely covered in mats that were several inches thick and coated in urine and feces. You could barely tell that there WAS a cat under all that clumping! He was suffering from severe inflammation and swelling of his skin. The kitty needed help and fast!

Matting is extremely dangerous. It pinches and pulls at the skin and can actually block blood flow.  Mats can become so tangled and tight that nasty infections can result. If not treated, the kitty could lose limbs… or worse. The SPCA veterinary team carefully shaved the kitty from whiskers to tail and he began his recovery journey. Shelter staff named him Sweets.

We normally think of ‘loss’ as a bad thing, but in Sweets’ case, ‘losing’ his mats saved his life. Can you believe it – his intake weight was 19.1 lbs and post-shave he was 17.5 lbs. That’s 1.6 pounds of matted fur that he thankfully lost!

While medical care was the first critical step in 8-year-old Sweets’ recovery, he needed to heal emotionally too. It was decided to place him in a loving foster home where he could gain strength and learn to trust people again. Enter Julie, who was about to change Sweets’ life.

Julie and her partner Peter had signed up to be foster parents. Julie shared “Sweets was to be my first foster animal. I read his description and it sounded like he really needed help. When I learned that he was sitting in the corner of his cage with his back to everyone, I thought this must be such a sad life for him. It made me want to see if there was anything I could do to improve his life.” So off Sweets went to a fabulous foster home.

Sweets was understandably scared and timid at first. “We set up a ‘safe room’ in our house before Sweets arrived,” explained Peter. “Initially, he would hide or turn his back and sit in a corner as he did in the Shelter. He also looked really depressed. The sound of someone entering his room would scare him and he would stay hidden for hours, barely moving.”

Sweets soon learned that he could trust these kind people. His confidence grew and his personality started to blossom one paw at a time. Julie recalled “I was surprised at how quickly Sweets became close to me and my daughter. He started coming out to eat and let me pat him. Next, he started wanting to play. Then he started getting used to my 6-year-old daughter Zeeza who would pet him and offer treats. Little by little, the other 5 kids in our blended family started to visit with him and he was fine with it.”

Julie and her partner Peter already had 3 cats – Coco Bear, Suki and 2Lu – so Sweets got some feline siblings as well. “Sweets went from running away or hissing at our other cats and not daring to venture out of his ‘safe’ room, to joining our cats for meals, socializing, and playing,” said Peter. “In fact, he has found a new best friend in Coco Bear.”

Sweets definitely captured the family’s hearts and they formally adopted him. “Sweets is so affectionate and open; he is one of the most loving animals I’ve ever seen,” stated Julie. “He taught us what joy an older animal can add to your life. We are so grateful to the SPCA for bringing Sweets into our life.”

Sweets is definitely living his best life. Julie shared “Sweets loves to hang out with us – snuggling, watching tv and lounging on the couch. He enjoys chasing his toys and wrestling with the kids’ ‘Stuffies’ as if he is a champion wrestler! Peter owns Titans Martial Arts and Fitness Academy and we consider Sweets to be a member; he is currently working on getting his blue belt! Eating is also high on his list of favorite things to do! He loves to freak out Daddy by sneaking up to his chest while Peter is sleeping. He puts his face inches from Daddy’s face and waits for him to wake up and find Sweets’ face staring right at him.”

Sweets’ transformation has been remarkable. His ‘before’ and ‘after’ photos say it all. And as much as a picture can show a transformation, Sweets’ transformation is much more than fur-deep. You can feel a sense of peace and happiness in his ‘after’ photos that was missing before. He realizes he is home, safe and loved.

 

Thanks to you, Sweets got his happily-ever-after. Please help other animals like Sweets by donating today.

 

Judy Layne

Judy is a dedicated volunteer with the Nova Scotia SPCA. She is committed to speaking for animals who cannot speak for themselves.

Desi-Lou Helps Turn Loss into Love

February 13, 2023

By Judy Layne

Anyone who has ever loved and lost a pet knows that the pain of saying goodbye cuts deep. We need to give ourselves time to mourn the loss of our precious pets. There’s no right or wrong way to grieve, no set time. Some of us are afraid that opening our hearts to another pet means that eventually, we’ll experience immense sorrow again. But the greatest honor we can pay to our deceased pets is to reach out to another animal in need of a good home and let the gift of love they brought us live on.

Glenn and Anita know this first-hand. In May 2021, they lost their beloved adopted greyhound Malachi to cancer. For 6 years, Malachi was the couple’s best friend and constant sidekick. “He was so special,” said Anita. “Malachi was a true gentleman, never jumped up at people and was flirty with all girls of all species! Long walks on trails or in parks and afternoon naps were high on his list of favorite things.” Malachi was also a major ‘foodie.’ “He loved barbecue, blueberries and would attempt to steal your food, even when you were still eating it!” Anita chuckled.

One day in May 2021, Malachi had a sudden fall that resulted in a broken leg. Glenn shared “X-rays showed that he had advanced cancer. Malachi was getting older and we understood he wouldn’t have an easy or pain-free end. We knew we had to find the strength to let him go, out of kindness and love. It was one of the most difficult decisions we’ve ever had to make, but it was the right one.”

The couple’s home felt empty after Malachi’s passing. Anita recalled “Coming home without him was super-hard; we were used to him being wherever we were. We missed the special things that made Malachi unique – his sighs, whines and horse-like ‘raspberries’ when he was annoyed or wanted something and the chittering of his teeth when he was happy.”

There’s no manual that can tell you how to mourn and for how long. Everyone handles grief and loss differently. When it comes to considering getting a new pet, you’ll be ready when you’re ready – your heart will tell you.

“We missed having a dog to care for, to make us laugh and help us stay active,” recalled Anita. “We were searching for our new family member when we came across 9-year-old Desi-Lou’s photo. Her eyes drew us in – it’s as if they were saying ‘Look at me.’ When we met her, we fell in love with her great smile, big personality, cheery nature and wagging tail. We knew she was the perfect match for us and on August 4, 2022 we brought her to her fur-ever home.”

And what an amazing girl Desi-Lou has turned out to be.

Glenn proudly shared “She is smart and obedient, does tricks and loves to cuddle (belly rubs are a favorite). She’s definitely a ‘people-dog’ and has to be touching us at all times. Desi-Lou will even push the bed covers aside to get under them with us! She will also sneak a lick in when least expected, especially after drinking water – a wet sloppy kiss.”

I asked the couple what advice they would give to people who have lost a beloved pet? “You need time to grieve, but it’s definitely worth adopting another deserving animal as soon as you’re ready. Desi-Lou has given us purpose again, and has brought us the devotion, joy and love we needed to fill the hole in our hearts.”

 

Judy Layne

Judy is a dedicated volunteer with the Nova Scotia SPCA. She is committed to speaking for animals who cannot speak for themselves.